96. Rostral Columns & the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the spit of Vasilyevsky island was used as the main trade port for St. Petersburg. These days, it has been developed into a beautiful park that overlooks the Neva river and its two channels that surround Vasilyevsky Island on the north (Malaya Neva / small Neva) and south (Bolshaya Neva / Large Neva). The park has excellent views of the Winter Palace to the southeast and the Peter and Paul Fortress to the northeast.
The large Greek revival-style building overlooking the park dates back to the first decade of the nineteenth century and is known as the Old Stock Exchange building. Most recently, this impressive structure housed the Naval Museum, but that institution moved to a location on the opposite side of the Neva River several years ago. As far as I can tell, the building is currently unused.
The most unusual feature of this park is the matching columns which are visible up and down the Neva River. These are known as the Rostral Columns and are considered to be one of the symbols of St. Petersburg, immediately recognizable just from the silhouette. The design from 1810 is based on Roman columns that displayed the prows of captured ships (presented here only as sculptures). There are also four large figures at the base of the columns, which according to the internet are supposed to represent four major rivers in Russia (the Volga, Dnieper, Neva, and Volkhov). However, there was no clear indication of this interpretation that I could see in person.
The Rostral Columns were originally intended to be beacons to help ships navigate around Vasilyesvsky island, but now the gas flames are only lit on major public holidays. So far, as best as I can recall I have seen the flames lit on Victory Day, City Day, Russia Day, and the Scarlet Sails celebration - mostly from across the Neva River on the south bank, but also from the middle of the nearby Dvortsoviy Bridge.
A view from the park of the south bank of the Neva River:
This is a good view of just how large the Hermitage Museum is. Basically, everything you see here is part of the museum, with the exception of part of the building at the extreme left:
From June 23 - the Rostral Columns aflame to mark the celebration during the Scarlet Sails festival:
The large Greek revival-style building overlooking the park dates back to the first decade of the nineteenth century and is known as the Old Stock Exchange building. Most recently, this impressive structure housed the Naval Museum, but that institution moved to a location on the opposite side of the Neva River several years ago. As far as I can tell, the building is currently unused.
The most unusual feature of this park is the matching columns which are visible up and down the Neva River. These are known as the Rostral Columns and are considered to be one of the symbols of St. Petersburg, immediately recognizable just from the silhouette. The design from 1810 is based on Roman columns that displayed the prows of captured ships (presented here only as sculptures). There are also four large figures at the base of the columns, which according to the internet are supposed to represent four major rivers in Russia (the Volga, Dnieper, Neva, and Volkhov). However, there was no clear indication of this interpretation that I could see in person.
The Rostral Columns were originally intended to be beacons to help ships navigate around Vasilyesvsky island, but now the gas flames are only lit on major public holidays. So far, as best as I can recall I have seen the flames lit on Victory Day, City Day, Russia Day, and the Scarlet Sails celebration - mostly from across the Neva River on the south bank, but also from the middle of the nearby Dvortsoviy Bridge.
A view from the park of the south bank of the Neva River:
This is a good view of just how large the Hermitage Museum is. Basically, everything you see here is part of the museum, with the exception of part of the building at the extreme left:
From June 23 - the Rostral Columns aflame to mark the celebration during the Scarlet Sails festival:
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